"Grandfather…"Cordy walked over to Jesse's side and sat down, and said affectionately, "He can be a little studious, so it'd be difficult if you kept him away from school."Next to her, Dicky nodded repeatedly.That was when Linus, Jesse's grandson, sighed feebly beside them. "So Dicky's the neighbor's kid…as one would put it."Linus was just a year younger than Sean, but his child Silas was already eleven and the eldest amongst his generation.He had been sitting primly with everyone in the living room, appearing very refined and disciplined.Of course, he could be doing that only to present himself as a prim and proper child. "Silas is amazing too. I heard he won first place at the national arithmetic competition," Cordy strategically praised in turn, eager to not make enemies for Dicky.The air in the room became amicable—Silas was still a child despite being so mature, and he naturally smiled at the flattery. -It was the fourth day Cordy and Dicky were spending at Cra
Thanks to Nana, the mood between the two families was good.Jesse turned towards Lucas just then. "Is this your boyfriend, Nana?"Lucas nodded respectfully. "Hello, Mr. Cranston. I'm Lucas Lynch.""What a fine young man you are!" Jesse said as he studied Lucas. "But why do you look so familiar?""Don't you think he resembles your great-grandson, sir?" Nana pointed out, turning towards Dicky.Jesse realized with a start, and exclaimed, "Why yes, they do!""It's just a strange coincidence," Lucas said humbly."Sean, is that your granddaughter?" Jean asked when she saw Cordy. "Oh, yes. She's been working at North City, so she doesn't come by often. Cordy? This is my sister," Jesse said. He beckoned Cordy to him and introduced them."Hello, Mrs. Lynd," Cordy greeted her politely."Oh, of course I know Cordy. Your career is really taking flight, and I often see you in the news!" Jean started to heap praise on her. "I didn't think you're family, even though I've always been saying
'To be an eyesore to me?' "So…" Lucas began, but was soon silent again.Cordy frowned even harder at that."Mommy," Dicky suddenly said. "Can I go back to my room to play with my tablet?"Cordy was left speechless.Dicky's tact was wasted on them, in her opinion—she definitely didn’t want to be alone with Lucas.But before she could say a word, Dicky slipped away, leaving Cordy gritting her teeth just then.Still, she said, "Just spit it already, Lucas. Don't worry—no one would find out about our grievances, since we're more or less relatives now. I for one won't try to hurt our families' relationship."Lucas was left staring at Cordy.Did she presume he was threatening her to keep her mouth shut again?!Even if she didn’t actually speak much with her before, he knew her well enough to tell that she always kept her promises, and he didn’t have to repeat anything.He inhaled deeply and finally said, "I've misunderstood you.""What?" Cordy was puzzled. "When I implied you
Nonetheless, Lucas composed himself and said, “It's nothing.”Nana didn’t ask any further. They continued their stroll in the back garden, flirting with each other as much as they could.Dicky was standing on the balcony of Cordy's room, watching with a tilted head as his daddy dated another woman.He turned to look at his mommy."What is it?" Cordy asked, sensing his gaze. "Nothing.""Don't dwell on it. I don't care at all since he's not your daddy," Cordy said, reading her son's mind."What if he was? Would you try to get him back?" Lucas blurted.Cordy's heart could stop right then.What if he was…Still, she said bluntly, "No, he's not."There was no chance, so there was no need to waste any time thinking about it.Dicky bit his little lips, suddenly feeling an impulse to perform another paternity test.Even if his mother was right—that they could live well without his daddy, he must find out the truth.That was his principle as a person. Thus, he made up his mind.
Lucas frowned, feeling a sharp sting ever so slightly.He looked up at Dicky, and saw the boy blushing. Dicky quickly got out of his seat with the excuse that he was full.Cordy noted her son's odd behavior. Since she wasn't watching when Dicky touched Lucas's head, she didn’t know what exactly he did.She watched as he suddenly left, thinking that he probably got embarrassed—he never acted like that before.Still, they were fortunate that they weren’t seated at the main table, where the elders were. Rules weren’t that strictly enforced on the other tables.On the other hand, Nana watched as Dicky left. She turned to ask Lucas softly, "You really like Dicky, don't you?""Why'd you say that?" Lucas asked in return, putting a shrimp on her plate.He had been doting on her like that since the food arrived. The others on the table had teased her a few times, leaving her blushing."Well, you're really nice to him," Nana said."Aren't I nice to you?""That's different!" Nana shook
Cordy went upstairs again after getting another slice of cake. Just as she reached the second floor, however, a ruckus took place downstairs.Cordy hurried downstairs, presuming that the Lynds were leaving and that she should see them off as well as a gesture of respect. At least, until she heard, "Help! Somebody! Nana's in trouble!"Cordy's heart skipped a beat—what happened to Nana?In that instant, she quickly strode downstairs. Just as she did so, Lucas entered from the living room, shoving his way through the crowd and cradling Nana's breathless frame in her arms.Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing rushed—she looked like she could catch something terrible and die at an instant!Cordy wondered if there really was something wrong with Nana's health, since even Jesse had been especially concerned about it; as was Lucas. She appeared very concerned, completely oblivious that she had something to do with Nana's sudden condition.Lucas cried, "Get an ambulance right now!"
In turn, Cordy’s fury rose and she shot back, "How should I know?!"Cordy knew she shouldn’t be throwing a fit when Nana was this weak, but Nana kept eating the cake despite knowing her own allergy. That was Nana's own fault!"Who told you to give it to her without asking? She's physically different, get it?!" Lucas kept yelling at her regardless, albeit over a different reason."I didn't give it to her. She asked for it!" Cordy lost her cool for some reason, though she certainly didn’t want to take it lying down when she was unjustly framed. "She asked for it? When she knows that her allergy could stop her heart?!" Lucas kept screaming, uncaring for her words. "Do you know about her congenital heart defect? That her allergy could trigger it? Are you saying that she wanted to die when she asked for that cake?!"Cordy bit her lip, confused why Nana would play around when her own life was at stake.Was Nana that eager to fill her belly? Even if it meant dying?!Lucas was still de
Cordy bit her lip, having no response to her grandfather's begrudging accusation of her.It turned out that Jesse knew all along—he simply left it unsaid. "Don't let it get to you. I know you, and if I hadn't…" Jesse's words trailed off as he sighed, and quickly changed the subject. "The Lynds were feeling hot-headed tonight. That's why I didn't defend you—saying too much would upset them, and in turn, they’d be even angrier with you. Let's wait until Nana recovers. I’ll find a chance to clear the air with my sister.""Thank you, Grandfather.""You must be tired too. Get some rest.""You too." With that, Cordy left Jesse's room.She could feel his care and love for her, but in reality, she had a hard time accepting such an unfamiliar family.-Dicky was waiting for her in her room. Cordy asked him calmly, "Aren't you going back to your room to sleep?""Aren't you upset? Lucas yelled at you," Dicky asked her very bluntly. "I am, but it's understandable," she replied.Sh